Japan's Keisuke Honda has signed with Melbourne Victory, the Australian side announced Monday, and will make his debut in the upcoming A-League season starting in October.

Victory had targeted Honda, who is rumored to have signed a deal worth A$2.9 million ($2.15 million), as their marquee signing after his name emerged on a list of potential big-name recruits drawn up by Football Federation Australia.

(Getty/Kyodo)

The 32-year-old announced his retirement from the national team following the recent World Cup in Russia, where he made history as the first Japanese to score at three World Cups. He had played a crucial role in helping Japan reach the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time in eight years.

Last Thursday, however, Honda revealed that his next goal is to become one of three players over the age of 23 that Japan can call upon for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics men's tournament. He has scored 37 goals in 98 appearances for the senior national team.

Honda spent the past season with Mexican side Pachuca after a stint at AC Milan. He started his career with J-League side Nagoya Grampus in 2005 before moving to Dutch side VVV-Venlo. He later joined Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow, where he twice won the league championship.

(Honda levels the score in Japan's 2-2 draw with Senegal at the World Cup in Russia)